The critical role legacies play within the sector

What does legacy fundraising mean to your charity?

Legacies is Macmillan’s biggest income stream and accounted for 40% of our fundraising income in 2022. As such it’s vital for the delivery of our services for people living with cancer, which have never been needed more. It also provides an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with our most passionate and committed supporters who underpin everything that Macmillan does.

Why is it so important within the sector at the moment?

Fundraising has always evolved, but recent years have given us a global pandemic, the first major European war for 80 years and a cost of living crisis, all of which have made our operating conditions more volatile and unpredictable than ever.

During this period legacy income has provided an anchor for many charities and, in some cases, has literally been the difference between being able to provide services or having to close. It is also the only area of fundraising that is predicted to grow significantly in future years, so it’s great that legacies are finally being recognised for the critical role they play in our sector and are being given the visibility and investment it deserves.

Why do you feel other charities should consider joining Remember A Charity?

We have a unique, but time-bound, opportunity to significantly grow the legacy market over the next few years. Unlike other areas of fundraising where it can feel as though we’re competing for a limited pool of income, within legacies there are opportunities for all charities to generate significantly more income. We will only do this effectively, however, by collaborating and working together. 

Remember A Charity is the best place to do this as it provides an established, respected and collaborative forum to share our collective skills and experience. The next generation of service users and charity leaders will thank you for getting involved and along the way you’ll have the chance to learn, network and grow.